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Thank you for checking out my classroom website. Below is my classroom blog, where I include pictures of student work and instructional videos. Above I have links to our student Artsonia gallery, Youtube channel and my Prezis. If you have any questions, leave me a comment and I'll respond as quickly as possible.

​Our learning Objectives for this work are: we will understand people from different places and times have made art for a variety of reasons, we will be able to create art for purpose of recording history & we will be able to use materials and tools safely and properly.

We began by looking at the book "The First Drawing" by Mordicai Gerstein. We discussed what tools might have been used to create the cave art and why someone would create art in a cave.

We flattened a piece of Model Magic air dry clay into a slab (cave piece) and then transferred our cave drawing onto the dried cave piece. We then used permanent marker to trace our art and then painted the piece with watercolor paint.

​The learning objectives we focused on with this project were: We will know characteristics of artwork used in traditional Day of the Dead celebrations. We will understand that the decorated sugar skulls are symbolic to the Mexican culture. We will be able to create artwork that shows our own interpretation of traditional Day of the Dead art characteristics.

With this clay project we discussed and looked at the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead and artwork associated with this holiday. We focused on the sugar skull and looked at a variety of different skulls and listed similarities we found in all of them.

I then demonstrated how to cut a skull shape from a slab of clay and how to use clay tools and found objects to press skull features and patterns into the slab to represent a sugar skull.

The pieces were left out to dry completely, fired in the kiln and then we used watercolor paint to finish our pieces with colorful patterns. My teaching partner Michelle Sauer found the idea for this project on Pintrest with no website link and shared it with me.

We have been working on a texture learning objective, tactile and visual. We first created some visual texture on primary color construction paper with sponge rollers and tempera paint, adding pattern. Then we rolled three Model Magic pieces into spheres and gently stepped on them to create our tactile texture. Almost all shoes have texture on the bottom so we don't slip and fall and some shoes have beautiful designs as texture too! Next, we traced some organic/free-form shapes onto the painted paper, cut out and glue onto black construction paper. Finally, we glued our Model Magic pieces onto our paper and paint with Glitter It! paint. This is a lesson most of my first graders remember years later and enjoy. Thanks for Sherry Sanning from Garrett Elementary for sharing this lesson idea with me! You can find my lesson plan here. My instructional video for the second day of the lesson is below.

We looked at the ceramic work of Kimmy Cantrell and focused on his asymmetrical relief masks. We reviewed the definition of asymmetrical balance and relief sculpture. We compared and contrasted Cantrell's masks and the facial features. We then created paper patterns to use directly on our clay slab. We used clay tools to create impressed texture on the base of our relief mask. Then the facial features were cut out, scored and slipped then attached to the top of the base. The pieces were fired, then glazed and re-fired.

We began this piece with a long rectangle slab of clay and created a 3D cylinder shape. We then scored and slipped to close the top of the cylinder. Scrap clay was used to create eyes, beak, wings, feet ect. Finally, clay tools were used to create impressed texture. The pieces were fired, glazed and re-fired. For this lesson idea I was inspired by the clay owls on this website: www.biavatibottegadellestelle.it

I usually do not do a clay project with Kindergarten because getting supplies passed out, then create something worthwhile and completing cleaning up seemed unmanageable in 40 mins. Then I got this lesson idea from Warren Elementary in the Francis Howell School District and it seemed more doable.

Our learning objective was: I can create a sphere out of clay. We first discussed what a sphere is and I then showed my classes three different ways to create a sphere out of clay. Pat it in cupped hands, rolling it in our hands or rolling it on the table.

After each student created and showed me their sphere they tapped it onto the table to create one flat side. I then bisque fired them.

We then used black and red tempera paint with gloss medium mixed in to turn our clay pieces into lady bugs. The kids loved their ladybugs and I think they did a nice job on them. This was a very manageable clay project to do with the little ones in a shorter time period. Thanks to the art teachers at Warren Elementary for sharing!

Second grade created these clay owls starting with a pinch pot. They used extra clay to add the details. Most details were made from rolling spheres and flattening them into pancakes. They were encouraged to added texture using clay tools for the feathers.

We create our fish from a pancake/taco shape then add the details to make it our own. Each student started with 2/3 of their clay and patted it into a pancake. We then brought opposite sides of the pancake up to touch, making sure to score and slip. This makes a taco shape that we gently tap on the table so our fish will sit flat. Then one end of the taco is scored and slipped inside and pinch closed for the tail. The front is left open for their fish's mouth. Then the remaining 1/3 of their clay is used to add eyes, side fins and any additional fish features they want to add. I fired them and they were glazed and then I re-fired them.

This is another lesson I got from Sherry Sanning. Thanks again for sharing, you rock!

We start this lesson during the class before "clay day",looking at and discussing African masks. The students then make a paper pattern of their mask making sure to use traditional African style facial features.

During the second class they get a 3/4 thick 4x6" piece and lay their main paper pattern onto the top of the clay and use a clay tool to cut around the pattern. The pattern is removed and then the scrap clay is patted into a pancake for the facial features. They use their patterns to make the features and attach them by scoring and slipping.

They then use a small doll rod to add a hole to the top and some at the bottom (if they wish) to tie raffia. I ask them to use the clay tools to create some symmetrical patterns by pressing them into the surface of the clay.

I fire them and then they painted them with brown tempera cake and then added raffia to the bottom.

Sherry Sanning from Garrett Elementary in Hazelwood, Mo shared this lesson with me years ago and I have been teaching it ever since. Thanks Sherry!

I give each child a piece of clay about 2x2x6" and ask them to pinch off about 1/3 and set it aside. They then take the large piece and pat it into a pancake. Then score and slip opposite sides and pull up to make a taco shape. Tap the bottom lightly on the table so the fish will sit and not fall to the side.

The students then choose an end they don't like and score and slip the inside and close. The seam along the top and back is smoothed to make it disappear. Then a small amount is pinched off the back/top to separate the top fin from the tail.

They then use the extra clay that was set aside to make two side fins out of flat triangle shapes. they score and slip to attach them. They roll two equal pieces into sphere and score and slip to attach for eyes. Then used a doll rod to press into the eyes for the center dot.

Now the fun begins. With any left over clay they may add anything they wish to make their fish their own. In the past I have had man eating fish, baby fish attached to the side of the bigger fish, snorkels and bubbles, purses, hair ect.

I fire them and then the students glaze them and I refire them. They are always a success and the kids can't wait to take them home. One of my favorite lessons!

Denise Jackson

Check out my YouTube I've been teaching elementary Art for 18 years the last eight at Becky-David in the Francis Howell School District. Teaching Art is a great job and I absolutely love it! My job is made easier by all the wonderful Art teachers out there who share their ideas and "secrets" with me personally and through the internet. Thank you! Check out & subscribe to my Youtube channel of instructional videos & book read alouds by pressing the button at the top right.